Forest Pavilion at COP30 | Belém, Brazil
Daily Programme
All event times are listed in Belém local time (GMT-3).
Wednesday, 12 November 2025
9:00am – 9:50am
Pact for Synergies between the Rio Conventions (Brazil / SBIO-MMA)
Brazil’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change presents the Plan for Accelerating Solutions (PAS), a new initiative that integrates the Rio Conventions through a shared landscape approach. The session highlights how coordinated action across biodiversity, climate, and land agendas accelerates implementation of global targets by 2030, with a focus on South–South cooperation.
Key message: Synergy among the Rio Conventions multiplies results — coordinated landscape action delivers stronger, faster outcomes for people and planet.
- Read the concept note.
Session theme Indigenous Peoples and forests: Culture, justice and human rightsIndigenous Peoples are among the world’s most effective forest stewards. Their leadership, traditional knowledge, and cultural values are vital to protecting biodiversity and advancing human rights. The morning sessions highlight the power of Indigenous-led solutions and the importance of direct funding and equitable partnerships for lasting forest protection. Lead: FSC Indigenous Foundation |
10:00am – 12:00am
Panel and interactive discussion
Upholding the role of Indigenous Peoples in forest stewardship: Access to tools and direct funding mechanisms (FSC IF)
The session showcases Indigenous leadership in protecting forests and biodiversity, emphasizing that safeguarding Indigenous rights is key to achieving global climate goals. Speakers from the Forest Stewardship Council Indigenous Foundation, the Tenure Facility, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples present tools and funding models that strengthen Indigenous stewardship. Discussions focus on how equitable partnerships and direct access to finance empower Indigenous communities to lead sustainable forest management and shape solutions for people and planet.
Key message
- Indigenous Peoples are vital guardians of forests and biodiversity, and their rights must be fully recognized and respected.
- Equitable partnerships and direct funding are essential to support Indigenous-led forest stewardship.
- Inclusive decision-making that integrates Indigenous knowledge ensures more just and lasting climate and biodiversity outcomes.
- Read the concept note.
12:10pm – 1:30pm
Panel and Interactive Discussion
Putting Indigenous Peoples, local communities and Peoples of African Descent at the centre of forest protection: building direct funding mechanisms that work (FERN, REPALEAC, CBFP)
Community representatives from Africa, Asia, and Latin America showcase innovative models — from the Podaali and Nusantara funds to new payment-for-ecosystem-services programmes — demonstrating how direct access to finance empowers local custodians. The discussion calls for donor alignment and the inclusion of community-led models in global funding frameworks.
Key message: Direct funding to Indigenous Peoples and local communities is key to effective forest protection — empowering those who safeguard 80% of the world’s forests.
- Read the concept note.
Please note: The event has been rescheduled from 10 November. 10 November theme: Forests in action: Standards, sensors & structures – scaling nature-positive climate solutions 1:45pm – 2:45pmAcoustics, Birds, and Carbon New technologies are letting forests speak for themselves. Nature-based solutions deliver critical climate and biodiversity benefits—but how do we measure them? This session introduces groundbreaking bioacoustic monitoring tools that use bird sounds to track biodiversity in real time. Using birds as indicators of ecosystem health, the Bird-Friendliness Index, developed by the National Audubon Society, offers a scalable, scientifically rigorous way to monitor biodiversity co-benefits of climate programmes across the Americas. Participants see how this index is already being applied by development banks, ranchers, and First Nations to strengthen policies and investments. By linking sound science with finance, the session highlights how monitoring nature can unlock new funding pathways and build confidence in climate-positive actions. Key message: Measuring biodiversity co-benefits through accessible technology can accelerate climate action and open new avenues for nature-based finance.
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Session theme Model Forest Act InitiativeLead: Brazil |
3:00pm – 6:00pm
Model Forest Act Initiative: Modernizing forest law to address climate change and the global forest crisis (Brazil/MoFAI)
- Read the concept note.
Brazil and partners present the Model Forest Act Initiative, a global effort to modernize national forest laws for climate and biodiversity goals. Legal experts, judges, and policymakers exchange insights on how a flexible, rights-based framework helps countries strengthen forest governance and accelerate implementation of international commitments.
Key message: Modern forest laws are a foundation for global progress — strong legal frameworks connect climate ambition with action on the ground.